Massage device



Nov. 10, 1942. v N. E. MAY 2,301,432

MASSAGE DEVICE Filed May l6 1940 INVENT OR. Nan 7'0 4: M4 X WWW ATTORNEYS.

Patented Nov. 10, 1942 U Nil. 1'- E STATE 3% PAT 'i' Gi i- 1551";

8 (liaims.

This invention relates to improvements. in massaging devices, and more particularly to devices by which the hands and feet may be massaged.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a device of this character with an elongated element oscillating longitudinally, the period of oscillation and length of oscillating travel of which are both readily adjustable.

A further object is to provid a device of this character by means of which the hands, feet or other body member may be massaged by oscillation in a direction transverse of the major muscles, blood vessels and nerves thereof.

A further object is to provide a device of this character having a wide range of use, and with respect to which the user has great latitude as to the parts of the feet or hands or other body members to be treated, the pressure to be applied, etc.

A further object is to provide a device of this character having a combined massaging and vibrating action on a member of the body, without vibration of the machine itself. I

A further object is to provide a devic of this character by means of which the upper surface and instep of a foot may be readily massaged.

A further object is to provide a novel, simple, effective and inexpensive construction of a massaging device.

A further object is to provide a device of this character having an operating element so mounted in a frame that it is fully accessible under various conditions of use.

Other objects will be apparent from the description and appended claims.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the device.

Fig. 2 is an enlarg d fragmentary sectional View of the device taken on line Z2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary end view of the device illustrating parts thereof in section.

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional View of the device taken on line i-t of Fig. 8.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a clamp utilized in the device.

Referring to the drawing, the numeral Iii designates a horizontal frame Which is preferably of hollow construction and of U-shape. The frame is provided with a pair of foot rests i l at the ends thereof positioned at an angle to th horizontal, whereby a user may comfortably rest his feet upon the same when in seated position. The top plate I2 of at least one of these inclined portions Il may be hinged at 13 to afford ready access to the. interior of the frame. The center portion of the frame is preferably recessed at It to receive 5 any suitable coin controlled timing device l5, which preferably includes a switch it and a coin slot l7. 7

Within the frame If and preferably beneath the hinged plate i2, is mounted a carrier plate l8 which may preferably be adjusted as to height and angular position by a plurality of mounting screws H). An electric motor 2i! is carried by plate l3, and the motor shaft 2! extends to a suit able speed reduction device 22 which preferably has a shaft 23. extending vertically and mounting a disk. 24 which carries a pin 25 projecting therefrom. A link 26 is pivoted atone end on the pin 25 and passes freely through a suitable opening 21. in the inner side wall of the housing ill.

Adjacent the outer ends of the frame and at the inner sides thereof are provided projecting horizontal flanges 23 or other suitable supporting means mountin clamp members 29. Clamp members 29 clamp the ends of a pair of horizontal shafts 38 which preferably extend in parallel relation. and at the same height. The clamp members 29 may be formed as best illustrated in Fig. 5, having a lower part 3! and one or more upper parts 32, with the parting face 33 therebetween extending centrally of the passages 34 in which the ends of the rods are to be clamped. The clamp parts may be secured together by suitable bolts 35 passing through openings 36 in the blocks, and also through the flanges 23 on which the clamps are seated. In the form illustrated in Fig. 5, a cut-out 37 is provided in the clamp blocks, and the parting face between the upper and lower sections is irregular or off-set. This recess 3! is primarily adapted for the passag of link 26 therethrough, as best illustrated in Fig. 2.

A hollow cylinder 38 is mounted upon end caps 39, each provided with flanges 48 of a greater diameter than the cylinder at their outer ends. Tie rods 4| extend between the end caps 39 to hold the end caps of the cylinder 38 in fixed relation. The end caps 39 are provided with bearings 42 through which the shafts 33 extend, and by virtue. of which the cylinder has a guided sliding longitudinal movement on said shafts 30. One of the end caps is provided with a projection 43 to which link 26 is pivoted at 4%, thus estab lishing a driving connection between the cylinder and the motor 29.

Within the cylinder 38 is mounted one or more two-piece clamps 45 which solidly grip or clamp the rods 39 intermediate their ends to hold the same in parallelaligned relation.

The drive motor 20 is connected in a suitable electric circuit illustrated diagrammatically in Fig. 2, and comprising leads 45 one of which has the switch l6 interposed therein. A suitable source of current 41 is provided in the circuit together with an adjustable rheostat 48 or other suitable means for controlling motor speed.

In the operation of the device, one or both feet or one or both hands to be treated are placed upon the cylinder 38 in a direction transverse thereof. The motor 23 is then started and the cylinder 38 is caused to oscillate longitudinally by the driving assembly comprising link 26, eccentric 24, 25 on the gear box 22 and motor 20. The speed of oscillation can be controlled by adjusting the rheostat 48 which regulates the speed of motor 20, and the length of the stroke of oscillating movement can be controlled by varying the position of the pivot 25 on the member 24. The oscillating action of the member is transverse of the foot or hand, and consequently transverse of the direction of the major muscles, blood vessels and nerves of the foot or hand, and produces a very effective and stimulating massage action. This stimulates the blood circulation, loosens cramped muscles and quickly produces a very beneficial treatment. The user may apply as much pressure as desired, and thus control the massage action obtained. He can apply one or both feet or one or both hands to the cylinder at his own selection. He can massage the bottom of the foot at any portion thereof from toe to heel, and may move the foot during the oscillation, in which event a substantially circular massage action is obtained. By inclining the foot he may massage the inner arch or the outer part of the bottom of the foot.

- As best illustrated in Fig. 3, the cylinder 38 is preferably positioned in substantially spaced relation above the bottom surface of the frame l0, so that the user may insert his foot beneath the cylinder for massage of the instep or other portions of the top of the foot. The action of the machine, in addition to massage, is also vibratory, inasmuch as the rapid reversal of the direction of the travel of the oscillator 38 tends to cause the foot to more or less bounce thereon.

The average individual frequently experiences tired, aching and burning feet as a result of wearing tight fitting or high heeled shoes, or of excessive use of the feet. Consequently, with the combined massage and vibration produced by the machine, it will be seen that these foot conditions may be readily relieved by the transverse direction of the movement of the oscillator 33 relative to the length of the foot. Also, the vibration produced by the device extends upwardly through the leg and has a definite and beneficial action upon the muscles at the calf and thigh, and also acts to loosen ankle and knee joints. The stimulation of the flow of blood resulting from use of the device removes fatigue acids in the system. The flow of lymph is also accelerated to quickly improve the condition being treated.

The use of thedevice for feet, hands or other parts of the body is quite similar in its results and effects to the hand massage which athletes receive after exercise to prevent stiffened muscles and other painful after-exercise conditions.

With reference to the construction, emphasis is placed upon the fact that the device provides three separate and distinct points at which the relation of the two shafts 30 upon which the cylinder 38 reciprocates, are rigidly interconnected. These are the two end clamps 29 which serve to position the shafts with respect to the frame and to each other, and the intermediate clamp 45 which serves to hold the "intermediate portions of the shafts in desired spaced relation. Hence there is no tendency of the cylinder to bind upon the shafts 30. It will be understood, of course, that absolute accuracy of the mounting of the shafts 30 relative to the operating mechanism of the device is essential. For this purpose, it will be understood that shims (not shown) may be used beneath the end bearing blocks 29 to properly align and position the shafts 30 for accurate relation to the gear box 22 and the eccentric 24, 25. Also, the bolts l9 provide means by which the setting of the motor and the gear box may be adjusted.

The draw bolts M serve to maintain the cylinder unit in desired relation. The flanges 40 projecting radially at the ends of the cylinder serve to prevent the feet from bouncing off of the ends of the cylinder in such a manner that they might be pinched between the end of the cylinder and the frame I0.

The U-shaped form of the frame I0 is of considerable importance by reason of the fact that it permits free access to the oscillator 38 and also permits the position at which the hand or foot bears upon the oscillator to be varied at will without striking the frame. At the same time, the frame is rendered sufficiently heavy and solid so that the oscillation of the cylinder 38 does not tend to vibrate it without being too heavy for convenient handling and manipulation.

It will be understood that the coin controlled device 15 may be entirely omitted if desired, and that any suitable form of electric control switch l6 may be employed with the device. Likewise, While the clamps 29 have been illustrated as mounted exteriorly of the frame I 9, any variation which is desired, such as mounting thereof interiorly of the frame, may be utilized with obvious simple adjustments and changes in the construction. It is also important that the cylinder 38 shall be positioned at a height above the bottom surface of the frame to permit the feet to be inserted thereunder for free engagement or contact of the feet with its lower portion.

I claim:

1. A massage device comprising a frame having a pair of spaced opposed portions, an elongated horizontal rigid cylindrical massaging element mounted for longitudinal reciprocation between said end portions, and means for longitudinally reciprocating said element relative to said frame.

2. A massage device comprising a U-shaped horizontal frame, a massaging element having a cylindrical portion, means for mounting said element between the end portions of said frame, said mounting means extending into said cylindrical portion and means for longitudinally oscillating said massag element on said mounting means. I

3. A massage device comprising a horizontal frame having a pair of opposed end portions, an elongated rigid substantially cylindrical massaging element mounted between said end portions, sai-d element including enlarged end flanges adjacent said frame and projecting above the level of the top of the portion of said frame adjacent and means within said hollow frame portion and connected with said element for longitudinally oscillating said element relative to said frame.

5. A massage device comprising a hollow U- shaped horizontal frame, a motor Within said frame, an elongated rigid tubular massaging element, means carried by the ends of said frame for mounting said element between the opposite ends of said frame, and above the level of the base of said frame, and means Within said frame connected with said element and driven by said motor for oscillating said element relative to said frame.

6. A massage device comprising a hollow U- shaped horizontal frame, said frame having inclined top portions adjacent its ends, one of said portions constituting a releasable closure for an access opening in said frame, a rigid tubular massaging element, means carried by the ends of said frame for slidably mounting said element, said element receiving said' mounting means therein and means for oscillating said element, said oscillating means being positioned within said frame adjacent said access opening.

7. A massage-device comprising a horizontal 'frame having a pair of spaced opposed end portions, a pair of shafts, means carried by each of said frame end portions for rigidly mounting the ends of said shafts, said shafts being positioned in spaced parallel relation, a rigid hollow elongated massaging element slidable on and encircling said shafts, means for longitudinally reciprocating said element, and means within said element for rigidly interconnecting the intermediate portions of said shafts.

8. A massage device comprising a frame having a pair of spaced opposed portions, guide means rigidly secured to said frame portions and extending transversely therebetween adjacent the outer ends thereof, an elongated rigid tubular member encircling said guide means, and apertured caps slidable on said guide means and mounting the ends of said tubular member, means for locking said end caps and tubular member in a unit, and means for longitudinally oscillating said unit on said guide means.

NEWTON E. MAY. 

